The Yankees’ offense continues to slump, but an excellent effort by Roger Clemens and two innings of perfect ball by the practically automatic Mariano Rivera got the Bronx Bombers into the win column with a 2-1 victory over Arizona in game three of the World Series Tuesday night.
New York could manage only two runs off of the Diamondbacks’ Brian Anderson, who was just 4-9 in the regular season. Jorge Posada hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning to break an 18-inning scoreless streak, and Scott Brosius singled home the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth.
The Diamondbacks’ only score came in the fourth inning when Clemens loaded up the bases with only one out. Matt Williams came to the plate for Arizona and drove the ball to deep right field. Paul O’Neill made the catch for the Yankees, but Steve Finley tagged and scored to tie the game.
Arizona also threatened in the sixth inning after Reggie Sanders was hit by a Clemens fastball with two men out. Sanders stole second and Erubiel Durazo smashed a ground ball deep in the right-side hole. Alfonso Soriano came up with a diving stop to save the run, but he could not get the ball on line to first—Durazo reached to once again bring up Williams with a chance to break the game open. He hit the ball hard, but Shane Spencer, making a rare start in left field, charged in, dove, and caught the ball just inches off the ground to end the Arizona threat.
For the Yankees, the win was all but mandatory; no team in history has come back from a three-game deficit to win the World Series.
For the Diamondbacks, the game certainly served to eliminate any feelings of complacency—Arizona was much more tentative than in the first two games of the series, committing three errors.
After the loss, Diamondbacks Manager Bob Brenly announced that game one starter Curt Schilling will come back on three days’ rest to start tonight’s game.
The move is clearly intended to put pressure on the Yankees, who were completely dominated by Schilling in game one—he allowed only three hits in seven innings of work, and New York’s only run came on a bloop double.
The Yankees will put Orlando Hernandez, who has historically been stellar in the postseason, up against Schilling. "El Duque" should be able to keep the damage from the Arizona offense to a minimum, but New York’s bats are going to have to make an appearance if the three-time defending champions are going to tie up the series.
In three games, the Yankees have scored as many runs. They will need to beat at least one of Schilling and Randy Johnson, and it is certainly possible that if the series goes to game seven, New York may have to face Schilling a third time—possibly with Johnson available in the bullpen as well.
On the other hand, the Yankees have built a dynasty on clutch comeback victories, especially at home, and they have made a habit of winning in the face of predictions that they couldn’t possibly win another title because they’re overrated, too tired, and too old. Brenly has realized this and is wise to try to put the champs on the ropes before they gain unstoppable momentum.
